Political affairs analyst, Prince Francis Chilaka, on Monday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of allegedly working in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Chilaka made the allegation on Voice of the People TV Political Lens programme, where he claimed that INEC was taking advantage of internal crises within opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party to sideline credible challengers before the final publication of candidates.
According to him, the commission’s handling of disputes across political parties reflects what he described as “double standards” capable of undermining public confidence in the democratic process.
“Double standards are the refuge of those who lack principles and from what is playing out it is obvious that INEC is playing double standards and it shows that INEC lacks principles,” Mr Chilaka said.
Analyst alleges bias in opposition party crises
Mr Chilaka argued that INEC had failed to take a firm and principled stance on lingering factional disputes rocking opposition parties, warning that the development could narrow Nigeria’s political space ahead of the elections.
“You cannot go to A today, dine with A, and B will call you on the same matter and you’re dining with B, and then when they tell you to give a verdict you say you want to stay in the middle. You have encouraged the two people to go to war,” he added.
The analyst referenced ongoing legal disputes within the ADC and Labour Party, insisting that delays in resolving leadership crises were indirectly benefiting the APC.
Comments on Labour party crisis
Mr Chilaka also criticised political actors who continue to submit parallel candidate lists despite court rulings, describing it as a culture of impunity capable of destabilising political parties.
“It appears that some people in this country just feel that impunity is a way to go. There’s a Supreme Court ruling that has removed Abure from the scene completely and I’m shocked that he would be the one to want to find another interpretation,” he stated.
He further projected that the ongoing crises across opposition parties could eventually force Nigeria into a de facto two-party structure dominated by the APC and the emerging National Democratic Congress coalition.
“2027 is not going to be all-comers anymore. We may end up having just two parties for the presidential election, that’s APC and NDC,” Mr Chilaka said.
Calls for accountability in military spending
Beyond electoral matters, Mr Chilaka also criticised the Nigerian Senate over its rejection of calls to probe military spending amid worsening insecurity across the country.
Reacting to comments by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that probing military expenditures could weaken troop morale, the analyst argued that accountability remains necessary to strengthen the armed forces.
“There is nothing wrong with probing the military even when you have insecurity. So much has been put into the system — where is the money? Where are the equipment? Why are the soldiers out there crying?” he queried.
He maintained that transparency and accountability would improve public trust and enhance the welfare and morale of troops battling insurgency and banditry nationwide.
“Accountability strengthens the military and not the other way around. When you remove accountability from the military, then you have thrown them into the woods,” Mr Chilaka added.
The comments come amid growing political tension and legal battles within several opposition parties as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Political observers say the stability of opposition parties and the credibility of electoral institutions will remain central issues as Nigeria moves closer to another major electoral cycle.
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